Bordertown showcases Osoyoos terroir

Photo: Bordertown's Mohan Gill

The recent list of the 50 best wines in British Columbia included a 2025 Pinot Gris from Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery. I believe that this Osoyoos winery makes numerous wines that merit recognition as being among the best wines of the South Okanagan.

The winery was opened in 2015 by the Gill brothers, preceded by a decade of growing grapes and expanding vineyard acreage primarily near Osoyoos. They grow a wide range of varietals, most of which survived the 2024 freeze because of the moderating effect of Osoyoos Lake. Production rebounded in 2025 and Bordertown has a number of white wines from 2025 that are released on the winery’s website, which also recounts the winery’s history:

“For Mohan Gill and his family, the opening of Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery in May 2015 was the culmination of a lifetime dream. The Gills built their reputation with over 20 years of experience as growers, supplying some of the Okanagan’s best fruit to a select few wineries and winemakers. Their sun-drenched Osoyoos vineyards are the best place to grow a wide varietal of grapes and are some of the most highly regarded in British Columbia. We’re nestled in the heart of Osoyoos, a border town that has long been celebrated for rich soil and brilliant sunshine. We’re a new generation winery that strives to showcase the distinct regional characters of Osoyoos fruit. We’ve made our home in Osoyoos, a winegrowing region that provides us with the diversity to grow 14 varietals in unique growing conditions. Coupled with Osoyoos’ extended days of heat and sunshine, we think we have wine growing Nirvana.”

Here are notes on a selection of Bordertown wines.

After 93 Pinot Gris 2025 ($28). The appeal of this wine begins with its delicate blush hue. The wine is intensely fruity, with aromas of apple and cantaloupe. On the palate, there are flavours of apple, nectarine and citrus that persist in the long finish. 93.

Bordertown Grüner Veltliner 2025 ($22 for 280 cases). This is one of the best GVs, if not the best, yet released by Bordertown. It begins with aromas of green apples. The palate is rich, with flavours of apple mingled with pear, grapefruit and white peach. A dry white, the finish lingers. 93.

Bordertown Cabernet Franc 2022 ($25 for 7,199 cases). This is a red from a great vintage and happily the winery has a lot available. Dark in colour and rich on the palate, the wine aged 12 to 18 months in French oak. It begins with aromas of spice, dark fruits and a hint of tobacco. The flavours echo the aromas. 92.

Bordertown Merlot 2022 ($24 for 298 cases), The fruit for this wine is from estate vineyards near Osoyoos. The wine, which spent 12 to 18 months in French oak, is dark in colour. It has aromas of cassis, blueberry and raspberry, leading to flavours of dark fruits including cherry and blueberry. The texture is lean. 90.

Bordertown Malbec 2022 ($35 for 491 cases). Malbec, the backbone of Argentina red wines, does well in the South Okanagan. The fruit for this wine is from Bordertown’s Osoyoos East Bench vineyard. The wine has had 12 to 18 months in French oak. The wine is rich in texture with aromas and flavours of black currant and dark cherry mingled with spice. 92.

Bordertown Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($33 for 543 cases). The estate-grown fruit is from an Osoyoos vineyard. The wine begins with a lovely aroma of cassis, leading to flavours of dark fruits. The long, ripe tannins give the wine a generous texture and a long finish, with notes of spice from the oak aging. 92.

Bordertown Petit Verdot 2021 ($35 for 373 cases). This is a rich, dark wine with aromas of spice and chocolate jumping from the glass. The flavours include dark fruits, chocolate and a hint of tobacco. 93.

Bordertown Syrah 2021 ($29 for 533 cases). The winery’s notes on this wine say: “The Gill family has always felt that Syrah is one of the most promising grapes grown in the South Okanagan.” I shared that view until the 2024 freeze killed a lot of Syrah plantings. Hopefully, plantings around Osoyoos Lake survived. Meanwhile, Bordertown has several vintages still maturing in their cellars. The 2021 vintage was aged 12 to 18 months in American oak. This is a bold and rich wine, opening with aromas of dark cherry and fig mingled with a hint of black pepper. On the palate, the dark fruit flavours are ripe and lush, reflecting that 2021 was a hot vintage. 92.